Football as a Strategy for National Prosperity: The Saudi PIF Example

It is common knowledge that if the people are happy, the nation will be at peace. Such is the capacity which sports possess.’’

Gen. Yakubu Gowon, (1934-)Nigerian Head of State, 1966-75

 The Saudi Arabian Football League, now known as #RoshnSaudiLeague as a result of some huge capital investments it recently attracted, has risen to probably compete with the World’s 5(England, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain) major football leagues in terms of capital investments and content capabilities. It’s an outcome of the investment by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund which in June 2022 took equity control over four of the country's top football teams - Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli – as part of the country’s Vision2030 plan. Under it, football plays an integral part in the kingdom’s aim to diversify its economy, boost tourism, and create an atmosphere of investments to strengthen national prosperity and enhance global appeal.

THE SAUDI ARABIAN PUBLIC INVESTMENT FUND

This institution is a deliberate creation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to pursue its national development through the diversification of its economy into diverse sectors. It was founded in 1971 as its Sovereign Wealth Fund Initiative and re-modeled in 2015. The fund is managed by a Board but under the direct guidance of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the facto ruler of Saudi Arabia.

The PIF has an ultimate goal to become a global investment leader through the delivery of large-scale investment and infrastructure projects that would shape the global economy.

AN ABRIDGED PROFILE OF THE SAUDI PIF

92 Portfolio companies created

13 Strategic sectors

560,000 + Jobs created

$700BN + Assets Under Management

THE SAUDI ARABIAN ROSHAN LEAGUE

In June 2022, the Saudi PIF bought 75% investment rights over four of its major football clubs as earlier highlighted, and thus prompted the drive to attract the best quality of world footballers to strengthen her local league.

The major bang in their investment was the coming of Portuguese captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s most decorated active footballers, in January 2023. Thereafter, others followed and by the end of the summer 2023 transfer window, about $900m had been spent on players transfer by the 14 teams in the SaudiRoshanLeague! According to Transfermarket, one of the world’s most authoritative football websites on players’ activities, the RoshanLeague, ranked second, apart from the English Premier League, in player transfers.

In terms of individual spending by football clubs, three out of the ten biggest spenders in the August 2023 transfer window, are from within the SaudiRoshanLeague. Hitherto, it was not so!

Other consequences of this strategic plan include,

·        Signed broadcast deals globally with leading media houses like DAZN, Canal+, etc. to make the league available in 130+ countries

 

·        Brought a boost to local manufacturers and businesses by signing 116+ sponsorship deals across the 18 teams

·        Same for the kits, 18 teams have partnered with 12 kit manufacturers including #Nike #Puma #Adidas and many local manufacturers like Offside

Whilst justifying this move, His Excellency, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the Governor of the PIF, highlighted the need to meet the interest in sports for the 63% of Saudis who are under the age of 30.

"You will have a lot of young people who are interested in sports and entertainment and that's basically part of the offering."

He further reiterated the huge expenditure as a deliberate investment targeted towards sustainability for the enterprise

"It makes financial sense to us, and that's the only way going forward. We don't like to subsidize things … we would like to have it sustainable."

Whilst most pessimists would doubt the sustainability of this project, seeing the income generated, it is expected that its drivers would have studied the factors that caused the demise of the Chinese League (it was a similar initiative) and the teething problems faced by the English Premier League before its stability. Overall, using sports as a basis to strengthen national prosperity and peace would also remain a success, as highlighted in the introductory statement of this article.

 

Has Ronaldo's Move To Saudi Arabia Diminished His Football Legacy?

Cristiano Ronaldo left his country Portugal for England when he was just eighteen. His extraordinary football talent attracted the Manchester United FC hierarchy and in 2003, they signed him from Sporting Lisbon FC. He played for them, winning several football laurels, including the UEFA Champions League and English Premier League before he was snapped by Real Madrid FC of Spain. At Madrid, he surpassed his achievements with Manchester United. He currently is the 2nd highest winner of the Balloon D’or, apart from Lionel Messi. He has won five UEFA Champions League titles and five Balloon D’or. Ronaldo is the highest goal scorer in Real Madrid's history but like always, he moved. His next destination was Italy where he joined the old lady, Juventus FC and he also excelled with them. In 2020, Ronaldo returned to England and re-joined Manchester United FC. He did excellently in the first season, emerging as the club’s highest goal scorer for the season and amongst the highest goal scorers in the English Premier League. He did not complete his second season and had his contract terminated just before after the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup after some disagreements with Coach Erik Ten Hag. 

Cristiano Ronaldo's Move To Saudi Arabia

Whilst tongues were wagging on what his next destination would be, it was announced that Ronaldo had joined al Nasser of Saudi Arabia. It was a very lucrative financial offer from the Saudi club and possibly to further convince him, several other world football icons were lured with fat cash to join Ronaldo. It marked the beginning of the Saudi Arabian football Revolution and Cristiano Ronaldo became the star boy! Lionel Messi rejected the offer to move to Saudi Arabia, but Neymar, Karim Benzema, and several others obliged. Some critics believe his move was just about money and that it would not enhance his football legacies. A critical analysis implies the opposite. Cristian Ronaldo has won everything in football except the FIFA World Cup. 

The Rationale of Cristiano Ronaldo's Move

Making the move to Saudi Arabia at the twilight of his career appears the best thing to have happened to his football career! Had he remained in Europe and with his huge financial demands, very few clubs would have been able to afford him. Rather, they would prefer a younger player with less risk of injury and no worries about managing the ego that most players of Ronaldo’s profile carry. Even with his fitness and positive work ethic, it remains contentious if he'd have been able to match the tactical demands and constant competition for positions synonymous with the volatile European leagues compared to the freedom he enjoys in Saudi Arabia. The quality of the Saudi Arabian league puts him under lesser pressure whilst enjoying the benefits of dazzling the less technically gifted players with his exquisite skills and experience. Apart from building another positive football profile for himself in Saudi Arabia, by hopefully winning laurels, the annals of football history would immensely credit his contributions to the Saudi Arabian Football Revolution.

Mo Salah and the Temptation of Saudi Arabia’s Fat Cheques!!

 

Liverpool FC Egyptian-born star, Mo Salah, was speculated to have been seriously enticed by several Saudi Arabian football clubs during the August 2023 transfer window. Salah is the most accomplished homegrown footballer from the Middle East and has broken so many records, especially in club football. Succumbing to the lure of the money-driven Saudi Arabian football revolution would be an immense achievement for his suitors, but would this enhance or diminish his impact on World football since he appears to have several seasons of top-flight European football ahead of him? Mo Salah started his career in Egypt, with Al-Mokawloon at a very tender age of about fifteen years. He moved to Switzerland, England, and Italy until finally settling with Liverpool FC in England. It wasn't so smooth for him but his exquisite skills and perseverance paid off. Some brilliant performances for Basel FC in Switzerland got Chelsea FC to sign him. He met a brick wall with Jose Mourinho, who rarely entrusted him with playing time. Salah was shipped to Roma and then sent on loan to Fiorentina FC until Liverpool FC rescued him and put his immense skill to proper use. 

Mo Salah, The Fourth Pyramid

Pep Guardiola: The Johan Cruyff Disciple Changing Football!

Pep Guardiola, the Catalan-born Manchester City FC Coach and serial trophy winner in Spain, Germany, and England has held the coaching industry spellbound since he took his first senior position. He started as a footballer, who grew from the Barcelona Academy, where he first encountered Johan Cruyff. Cruyff is renowned as probably the best footballer to have emerged from the Netherlands and as coach of Barcelona FC, 1988-96, greatly influenced the tiki-taka possession football that became synonymous with the Catalan side. As one of his players, Guardiola was hugely influenced by Cruyff. Theirs was a chance meeting during a training session whilst Guardiola was still in the academy team but it grew to become a father–son relationship until the passing of Cruyff.

THE FOUNDATIONAL YEARS OF PEP GUARDIOLA

Pep Guardiola started as a deep-playing midfielder with both defending and attacking qualities and could conveniently play whatever this role was assigned to him. He played over 380 matches for Barcelona FC and captained the team for four seasons, 1997-2001. Guardiola also had stints with Brescia and Roma FC in Italy, including a short period in Qatar and Mexico. He also played over 40 matches for the Spanish national team.

PEP GUARDIOLA's FOOTBALL PHILOSOPHY 

He retired in 2003 and shortly after, joined Barcelona FC B, as a coach; was given the senior team job three years later. Guardiola is known for his detail in setting his team for free-flowing football. He is obsessed with recruiting players (including goalkeepers), with good ball-handling skills, with a strong understanding of team cohesion, rather than individualistic tendencies to impress the spectators. This, combined with his high pressing to unsettle the opposition from easily building constructive play, has made the teams he’s managed difficult to beat! Guardiola makes his goalkeepers able to launch attacks from the back, using precision passes to players up front. He detests goalkeepers without good handling of the ball with their feet.

His job as a coach has taken him from Spain to Germany and currently in England and he’s never played second fiddle to any coach or team for more than a season. With Barcelona FC, he virtually took dominance of the Spanish La Liga and maintained Bayern Munich FC’s hold of the German Bundesliga. With the Qatari investments into Manchester City FC, Guardiola has made his club remain the team to beat in England. They have won the EPL 6 from 8 campaigns since he came.

THE GROWING IMPACT OF PEP GUARDIOLA's FOOTBALL PHILOSOPHY 

Pep Guardiola and his football philosophy has immensely impacted other coaches, raising disciples to his style! His former assistant at Manchester City FC, Mikel Arteta makes no secret of the similarities of his football philosophy with that of Pep, same with Roberto de Zerbi at Brighton FC, Ange Postecoglou, a Tottenham FC and so many others. Legendary Manchester United FC goalkeeper was eased out partly because Coach Erik Ten Hag dreamt of having a ball-playing goalkeeper to suit his football philosophy. Making the goalkeeper an integral attacking rather than a defensive asset originates from Pepe Guardiola’s philosophy. This attribute has become an important requirement for goalkeepers of the current decade.

Whilst Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, both renowned coaches of the twentieth century would conveniently set their teams for defensive play for an entire 90 minutes, the same is alien to Guardiola. That is the strength of his football knowledge and artistry. He brings out the real fun that comes with football and arouses inestimable joy whenever you watch any team raised by him.

WHAT NEXT FOR PSG's KYLIAN MBAPPE?

 Very few footballers can make claim to the laurels that Kylian Mbappe has won since he started his senior professional football career with Monaco FC in 2015. He’d be 25 next month, but Mbappe is already regarded as one of the best footballers in the World as a result of the listless records he’s broken and titles won. He won the 2018 World Cup with France, scoring in the final match, and has also won the French League title win Monaco and his current club, Paris Saint Germain FC. Mbappe narrowly missed winning another FIFA World Cup in the 2022 Qatar Competition, when the French team lost to the Lionel Messi-inspired Argentine team through penalties. 

 

THE HURDLE BEFORE KYLIAN MBAPPE 

In March 2023, French National team coach, Didier Deschamps named Kylian Mbappe the new captain of the French national football team, to replace Hugo Lloris. Like Pele, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappe's major attributes include his dribbling skills, wonderful speed, and deadly finishing in front of goal. Despite these, the lure to replicate his wonderful skills elsewhere appears to be the remaining credentials necessary to cement his legendary beyond his current achievements. Though he’s yet to win the UEFA Champions League and Balloon D’or, pundits believe that a transfer to a bigger club in the most prominent leagues of England, Spain, and possibly Germany, would further enhance his chances of winning these titles and completely stamp his legendary on the annals of football. The addition of the declining Neymar and Lionel Messi to the PSG project of asserting their dominance over Europe had failed and both players have left leaving Mbappe to carry this burden alone! His club’s current performances in the group stage matches of the UEFA Champions League gives a clue to the weight of Mbappe’s current burden to winning the UEFA Champions League.

KYLIAN MBAPPE MUST MAKE A CONCRETE DECISION 

On the 4th of November 2023, Real Madrid FC of Spain released an official statement denying any discussion between their club and Kylian Mbappe for a transfer to join them. This was a culmination of several rumors that have lasted for about three seasons about a purported move to the Spanish club. The same situation had existed before the resumption of the current season, including Mbappe’s exclusion from PSG’s pre-season tour. Whilst there’s the huge possibility that Real Madrid FC is interested in Mbappe’s signature, the tussle to get him has remained difficult since his current contract with PSG ends in 2025. Also, is the interest of his club owners to keep him for as long as possible. Moving to a club with a bigger football profile than PSG would enhance Kylian Mbappe. He needs to make a concrete decision and move fast. He’s got age on his side to attract more accolades and remaining in France much longer appears unattractive. With players of his generation such as Pedri, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Erdin Haaland excelling in Spain and England respectively, an extra season at home could continue to deem his prospects.

GIFT ORBAN'S BOOTS ARE FIRING AGAIN!

 Gent AA FC Nigerian striker, Gift Orban’s boots are back to scoring goals again! He scored a hat-trick to give his team a hard-earned victory during last week's UEFA Conference League group match against Breidablik Kopavogur FC of Iceland.  Gift Orban scored 20 goals in 22 matches last season and created the record for the fastest hat-trick in a UEFA competition. Clubs across Europe went on full alert to get him, but he remained with Gent FC only for events to turn the other way!

The writer had earlier highlighted the hurdles he'd encounter leading to the January transfer window and like a seer, these have come to pass! His ability to continue to score goals for his team and remain fit would determine his future. The lure of joining the bigger leagues of England, Spain, and Germany remains the dream for strikers with the fortune and football prowess that Gift Orban has shown.

 

GIFT ORBAN SILENCES SKEPTICS

Young Gift Orban, who had scored just 2 goals in seven matches, was given a red card in their match against Eupen FC in the Belgian Juliper League and thereafter benched by his coach. Rather than allow a little patience with him, tongues began to wag within Belgium and some questioned his football qualities and attitudes.  ExGent AA FC goalkeeper, Wim De Connick accused him of being selfish and thinkingonly about himself.  Thanks to providence, he got his opportunity last week when his coach gave him some minutes to enable his newfound replacement to get some rest. Orban took his chance with a hat-trick.

 

 

GIFT ORBAN’s GOOD RUN MUST CONTINUE

For a man who came from nowhere to take Belgium by storm, something must have caused his goal drought. It could be an internal issue within his team, looking at the swiftness his coach took to bench him! More renowned strikers sometimes go through such situations and maintaining trust in them helps rebuild their confidence in front of goal.

Now that he's again shown his worth, we expect he continues to get more match time to allow him to continue his good form from where it stopped. His worth has increased and was even nominated for the Confederation of African Football Best Young Player of the Year Award. With the array of Nigerian strikers on good form, we wait to see the possibilities of his being selected for the January 2024 CAF African Nations Cup, and his good performance here, could yet enhance his value and attract more revenues for his club.

The good fortune for Orban and his club is that they have a win-win situation before them and vice versa. When a bigger club comes for him with the right fee, it would give more money to them, otherwise, allowing him to languish in mediocrity would be their loss.

As events unfold we can only wait to see what the January transfer window holds for him and how well he'd maintain good form to convince more suitors to come for his signature.

Easy Path to Revival For Chelsea FC

 

Chelsea FC has a very rich history, especially during the 21^st century. Their performances last season  fell below their good standards and a revival to their glorious times remains the target this season. 

With its takeover by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in June 2003 and the arrival of coach Jose Mourinho, the eccentric Portuguese, who aptly referred to himself as ‘the special one’’, they won virtually  every trophy in club football history. Three years ago, in 2021, they won the UEFA Champions League. Events outside football led to the exit of Abramovich and the emergence of some new owners led by American businessman Todd Boehly.

 

THE NEW CHELSEA FC

The arrival of a new ownership for Chelsea FC also led to a total overhaul of the entire team and this led to the arrival of Coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Boehly-led group has bought a full squad, spending over a billion British pounds. Getting the team to gel has become a daunting task for the coach. So far Chelsea FC has won four matches, drawn three, and lost four.

Chelsea FC took the 12^th position in last season’s English Premier League, their worst position since the 1993/94 season. Their four goals to one triumph over Tottenham Hotspur FC, last week was a major confidence boost for the players and the entire team. Getting another victory over English Premier League titleholders, Manchester City FC, on 12^th November, would be a genuine and easy shortcut to restore their quest back to stardom.

 

On assuming his new role as Chelsea FC Coach, Pochettino affirmed his vision and mindset about winning by saying thus;

‘‘The objective is to win because football is about winning. We will have good times, create good relationships, and have a nice environment and relationship with people, but the most important thing in the end is to win.

‘If you win, it helps develop all the other things. Football is about results, how you achieve that is different because we are people that care about the way we achieve the results………….

 

CONSISTENT VICTORIES SHORTCUT  TO RESURGENCE FOR CHELSEA FC

Sunday’s match against Manchester City FC remains a very good opportunity for Pochettino to prove to skeptics that their victory over Tottenham FC was no fluke but a result of his managerial acumen. A duel with probably the world’s greatest football tactician is never an easy one. Pep Guardiola’s team stands solid in whatever situation with seasoned and a well-oiled squad that can adapt to overwhelm every opposition, as they come!

Their victory over Tottenham FC last Monday covered the profligacy of the Chelsea FC players in several missed goals and tactical laxity against Tottenham FC.  They need to take their chances as they come as they might not get the same listless opportunities (against Manchester City FC) as they did against two-man short Tottenham FC. Getting a draw would help sustain their confidence from their last match, but anything short could wipe out the newfound confidence that their large margin triumph on Monday has given the team. Former Manchester City player Cleve Palmer affirmed his expectations for them to continue their good form on Sunday against Manchester City FC and do hope the same passion runs through the entire team.

Can Girona FC Become The New Force in Spanish La Liga?

Girona FC is creating some surprise in the Spanish La Liga. With twelve matches so far, the Barcelona-based club occupies the first position, with two points ahead of Real Madrid and four above their city neighbors, Barcelona FC. This is their fourth participation in the Spanish Premier division; hitherto their activities have been dominant in the lower rungs of Spanish football. 

THE RISE OF GIRONA FC 

The club was taken over by Abu Dhabi-owned, Capital Football Group in 2017 when it bought a 44.3% share in the Catalan club. Pere Guardiola, the brother of Man City manager Pep Guardiola, serves as the managing director of Girona Football Group, which has an equal 44.3% share in the club. Compared to Real Madrid FC, Barcelona, Athletico Madrid, and even Sevilla, who are considered the perennial favorites of the Spanish La Liga, Girona FC, remains a small club with a very meagre budget. The biggest player purchase in their history is around €7.8million. Though the league is still far away from ending with a third of the matches completed, one would expect that their good run could be a result of huge capital investment, but it’s not truly so. They came into the Premier division in 2020 and for a club whose entire wage bill for the 2023/24 season is just €27, 240,000 Million Euros; they have exceeded their expectations for the season and mathematically guaranteed another year in La Liga, with their current 31 points in twelve matches

Embed from Getty Images

They have a crop of virtually unknown players most of who arrived this season after they lost most of their best players to bigger clubs. Oriel Romeu was bought by Barcelona FC and Taty Castellanos is now with Lazio FC of Italy. With just 12 games into 2023-24, this is the first time in 20 years that a club other than Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid have topped the Spanish table at this stage of a season. 

WOULD GIRONA FC BECOME THE NEW FORCE? 

Paulo Gazzaniga, the former Tottenham FC third choice goalkeeper, Ex Man United and Bayern Munich player, Daley Blind, Brazilian Savinho, on loan from Troyes, Ukrainian Viktor Tsygankov and Eric Garcia on loan from Barcelona FC, form the spine of their team and so far, they have excelled. Guided by 47-year-old coach Michel, Girona FC took the 10th position last season and according to him, they have exceeded their expectations and continue to remain humble about the possibilities of continuing their smooth ride until the end of the season. Girona FC is a high-scoring side with 29 goals so far and their fluid and attacking quality gives the impression that they'd score many more goals. Speaking about their prospects, Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti says; The Catalan side has a "very big advantage" – not having to worry about European competition. "They have the chance to prepare well for games each week," said the Italian. "We have tiredness and injuries; we don't have time to recover." 

With the kind of attention they have drawn and the financial backing from the new Abu Dhabi partners, their emergence as a new force in Spanish La Liga would be exciting and this would bring a new vista to Spanish football.

How Lionel Messi's World best defender Halted Tottenham's Winning Streak

Embed from Getty Images

Cristian Romero’s harsh tackle on Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez got him a red card in the 33rd minute of their English Premier League, week eleven match, and thereafter the tide of the game turned against his team. They lost 1-4. Football has for the past century grown to become a sport with great excitement to such an extent that memories of some great matches remain evergreen in the hearts of football fans for decades. Several legends have emerged from various playing positions; Lev Yashin(USSR), Gordon Banks(England), and Dino Zoff(Italy) were renowned goalkeepers, Franco Baresi,(Italy), Paulo Maldini(Italy), Daniel Passarella,(Argentina), Roberto Carlos(Brazil) made a good impression as defenders, just like Pele(Brazil), Johan Cruyff,(Netherland), Diego Maradona,(Argentina), George Weah,(Liberia), the Ronaldo’s(Brazil and Portugal) and Lionel Messi(Argentina) have got their legendary status as strikers. We cannot forget Andreas Pirlo, (Italy), Lothar Matthaeus, (Germany), Socrates, (Brazil), Xavi, (Spain), Andreas Iniesta, (Spain), Carlos Valderamma (Columbia), Luka Modric (Croatia) in the midfield. The exploits of these legends have remained the standard with which players after them are judged. 

 

CRISTIAN ROMERO’S COMBATIVE ATTRIBUTES 

Argentine World Cup-winning defender, Cristian Romero, of Tottenham Hotspur FC, was recently referred to by his compatriot, Lionel Messi as the World's best defender after Argentina’s one-nil victory over Ecuador in October. Though his exploits helped Argentina win the World Cup and was once adjudged the best defender in the Serie A of the Italian Scudetto, his actions on Monday dearly caused his team, a humiliating loss. He was given a straight three-match ban. With the lack of a reliable backup and the important matches he’d miss, Romero’s absence could be very damaging to their positive progress. The writer once referred to Romero as a disaster waiting to happen because of his crude and unconventional style of play and the same was wryly reiterated by his teammate, Dejan Kuluveski in his analysis about their loss. Cristian Romero’s on-field record is poor and needs to refine his style to achieve the extraordinary potential before him. Lionel Messi’s assertion about him compliments the poppy who doesn’t feel the aggression of its mother but it could also be his recognition of the potential he sees in Romero. 

THE NEED FOR CRISTIAN ROMERO TO IMPROVE 

His club coach, Ange Postecoglou, made him one of the captains at the start of the 2023/24 season and it was expected that this would make him better than the erratic disposition he carries. His personality and football potential tick the boxes to make him an exceptional defender but unlike all the legendary defenders mentioned earlier, Romero doesn't need brute force and dangerous tackles to win his duels. His despicable action cost his team their first EPL loss this season and with further losses of other players in that match, their prospects could be diminished. With age still on his side, he can improve and cut out those attributes that draw the ire of referees. His style could also be a reason for his frequent injury cases and unless he improves his style would remain a baggage for every team he plays.

Tottenham FC's Collapse Against Chelsea FC Could Decide Their Entire Season

Tottenham FC had survived their first ten matches of the 2023 English Premier League season, winning eight and drawing two, but their 1-4 collapse against Chelsea FC could decide their season. Their unique pressing, high-line defending, and inverted full-backs have turned them from a boring counter-attacking team to a ball-playing group with Pape Sarr, Yves Bissouma, and Maddison mesmerizing fans time after time. They had survived the small and big teams, nicking victories over Sheffield United, Luton, and Liverpool FC through sheer guts. Their collapse against Chelsea FC was a good lesson of the scenarios that could determine their season. The red cards to Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie created significant turning points and were worsened by the injuries to Van de Van and James Maddison. They struggled, fought, and possibly could have escaped, but, they lost. 

 Postecouglou needs to be Flexible 

Possibly, Ange Postecoglou could have managed the game better, with structured defending rather than maintaining the high line, even with two players short. He does not appear to have accepted the fact of the game, especially the dynamism of the English Premier League. Whilst entertainment, gives excitement to the fans, trophies are not won through losses and retaining ideals that wouldn’t give the right results. The loss of three points and a minus-three deficit in their goal difference is worse compared to if they’d succeeded in squeezing out a draw. 

 The hurdle before Postecouglou 

The writer had warned earlier about Cristian Romero being a disaster waiting to happen and yesterday he did cause a disaster as a result of his somewhat combative and unconventional style. Chelsea deserves the credit for not relenting from their plot and using their advantage perfectly but the critical issue at the moment is about how Ange Postecoglou, would reignite their smooth ride, after losing his first-choice central defensive pair, left back and possibly James Maddison, the best midfielder, so far in the 2023 English Premier League season. It would be difficult to predict but certainly, the team structure has been terribly broken! With the January transfer window still far away and the immediate replacements coming from the supposed outcasts, it would remain a daunting task for the coach to solve, unless the outcasts prove a surprise to win over Postecouglou’s trust. Would he continue his high-line defending without the speed of his very fast first-choice central defenders? Romero and Udogie could lose one and two matches respectively, whilst the return of VDV and Maddison remains uncertain. The match against Wolves FC on Saturday would unravel what options Ange has on his sleeves and the next against Aston Villa and Manchester City FC, coming after the international break, would be crucial. They have some depths in the midfield, with Rodrigo Betancur and Emile Hojberg, but the defense appears a large hole to cover and would determine how well Tottenham survives this setback. Whatever the outcome of their match on Saturday against Wolves, Tottenham FC, have had a smooth ride and another good result could reignite their successes but if otherwise, they could still be consoled that no situation lasts forever.

More Honours for Napoli FC's Victor Osimhen

Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, of Italy's Napoli FC, is gradually working himself into legendary status, and provided his form remains consistent he would be renowned in World football folklore. His grass to grace story about how he transformed from a young child hawking to survive in Nigeria to getting selected into the Nigerian U-17 team, even without being involved with any big Nigerian club side, is known to virtually everyone who has followed his career.

 

THE EMERGENCE OF VICTOR OSIMHEN

Since he emerged as the leading scorer in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which Nigeria won, Victor Osimhen has continued to improve his quality. First was his move to Belgium, then to Lille FC, France, where he won the  2020 Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, a prize awarded to the best African player in the French championship. Then his transfer to Napoli FC, with whom he won last year's Scudetto, more than 30 years after the great Diego Armando Maradona, helped them achieve this feat.  He also won the League's highest goal scorer and has been a source of rumor-mongering over his next move. Two months ago, he helped the Nigerian Super Eagles, qualify for the 2024 CAF African Nations Cup.  

It is evident that so far, he’s proven his worth in virtually every league, he’s plied his trade. Very few laurels remain to win to enable him run shoulders with the highest legends of world football. He still has age on his side and so much could still be achieved for club and country.

 

TRANSFER RUMORS ABOUT VICTOR OSIMHEN

Since about six weeks ago when he missed a penalty in their league match against Bologna FC, which created some unfortunate events with his club, there have been serious speculations about his possible move in the January 2024 transfer window, though he's publicly pledged his allegiance to Napoli FC.

Last month, he was named amongst the world's best ten players on the Balloon D'or list and nominated for the African best footballer 2023. These recognitions are a reflection of the consistency he has maintained over a very long period. For a striker with his kind of physicality, it is an immense achievement and his relevance in World football would continue, provided he's able to remain fit and lethal in front of goal.

 

Victor Osimhen currently attracts the attention and relevance given to the new generation of World strikers such as Erdin Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, lately and Jude Bellingham, etc. His capability to remain focused on football, shying from the razzmatazz of his celebrity status is another positive that would see him continue to rise. It would be no surprise if he wins the African Footballer of the Year title this year!

 

With the few very lethal strikers in world football tied down by other big and rich club sides, his continued stay in Napoli FC would definitely be short. He would definitely command a huge transfer fee, with his young age and immense quality. The 2024 CAF African Nations Cup commences in a few months and apart from the Scudetto, this competition would be an immense opportunity to further show his worth, provided his club doesn’t prevent his participation like they did subtly during the last tournament.

Mikel Arteta and the Needless Goalkeepers’ Debate at Arsenal FC

Though he’d never admit it, Coach Mikel Arteta has put his club into a needless quagmire. Since he took over from fellow countryman, Unai Emery, his rebuild has steadily improved the team, but for some few hiccups, and the immutable capabilities of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City FC, they’d have won the 2022/23 English Premier League.

During the August 2023 transfer window, Mikel Arteta strengthened his goalkeeping unit, even when no obvious weakness was identified amongst his crew, and brought his countryman, David Raya from Brentford United FC.

 

Whilst he stoutly defended this decision, several fans considered it obtuse! English-born Aaron Ramsdale has grown progressively from his time at Bournemouth FC, to become a capped player of the English national team, the Three Lions. His remarkable exploits got him the transfer to Arsenal FC and nobody would dispute his immense contributions to Arsenal FC’s near-perfect run last season that got them 2^nd position in the league and a UEFA Champions League ticket.

 

Ramsdale vs. Raya

Arteta is known for his tactical nuances, like his compatriot and former boss Pep Guardiola. The best coaches and analysts in football always affirm the goalkeeping area, as a unique position that requires consistency and stability for the chosen player. The goalkeeper and his defenders always need good communication and understanding between them to make their job simple; the goalkeeper serves as the on-field coach, making his role of extreme importance. Fast forward to the current times, coaches now clamor for keepers with good ball-playing attributes. With these attributes, both keepers are fairly gifted.

When Arteta made his move for Raya, he permutated the likelihood of swapping goalkeepers during a single match for tactical reasons and did everything to reassure fans about his wisdom of having two equally gifted keepers. His defense for this action revealed how ill-advised it was. When he dropped Bernd Leno for Aaron Ramsdale, it never caused the same grumble as the current; the fans identified Ramsdale’s edge.

 

Dropping Ramsdale

Aaron Ramsdale was dropped by Arteta by the week 3 EPL and thereafter made David Raya, his number one both for the EPL and UEFA Champions League. It has obviously been a difficult situation for him and he’s voiced his frustrations, though there’s very little he can do to change his situation. Raya has still not shown an undeniable edge over Ramsdale, and this would continue to make him tense in trying to prove himself. Arteta’s action is not about genuine competition but has usurped Ramsdale’s position for another player, without showing appreciation for his dedication. It would never make the team better and could create a backlash unless their good run continues. Raya would be unnecessarily judged and compared with Ramsdale for every action that goes awry.

 

David Raya was heavily criticized for Mykhailo Mudryk's surprise goal in their duel against Chelsea FC, even when the cross never looked deliberate. Again, rather, than discussing the veracity of the refereeing and VAR decision to award the goal against Arsenal FC, in their one-nil loss to Newcastle FC, fans have Raya’s missed efforts to stop the cross, and not the push on Gabriel Maghalaes, or if the ball had gone off the field, amongst so many other questions about the goal.  It’s a situation Mike Arteta has caused for himself and would remain so for a long time since his ‘coaching decision’ appears skewed and one-sided!

It is only a matter of time for the Arsenal FC fans to turn against him unless the club continues with good results.